Political massacre in Maguindanao Philippines

The Philippines declared emergency rule and dispatched additional security forces to the southern province of Maguindanao as the death toll in the country's worst election related violence case reached 57. Philippine security forces dug up three vehicles and more bodies. Victims were part of a group who were seized by armed men on 23 November while on their way to file the certificate of candidacy of Buluan Vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu for Maguindanao governor in elections in May

Wednesday 25 November 2009 10.54 EST
First published on Wednesday 25 November 2009 10.54 EST

A backhoe lifts a mangled vehicle unearthed from a shallow grave as investigators try to find more bodies

Residents carry a body recovered at the scene of the massacre in AmpatuanSHALLOW GRAVE AFTER MASS POLITICAL MASSACRE PHILIPPINES 24 NOV 2009 RESIDENTS CARRY A BODY RECOVERED AT THE SCENE OF AMPATUAN MAGUINDANAO NOT-PERSONALITY 6296161